Board approves filing amended child-care financial assistance regulations to public comment

The Board of Early Education and Care voted to file draft amendments to the Child Care Financial Assistance Program regulations (606 CMR §10) with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication and public comment, the agency announced at its February meeting in Framingham.

The proposed amendments implement outside-section statutory language in the FY25 budget and would, among other changes, raise initial and exit eligibility for the income‑eligible program to 85% of State Median Income (SMI), add a formalized prioritization for families who work in early education and care, confirm that child‑care financial assistance will not be counted as income for other public benefits, and require continued process improvement for the program.

Board members and EEC staff told the meeting these updates primarily codify actions the agency already takes and align regulations with Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 15D §13A. Tyrese Nicholas, EEC policy staff, described the central change: “By increasing that 85% entry for all families, we are also now required to prioritize families that are at 50% of SMI.” Rob Orthman, legal counsel, told the board the public comment period will exceed the 21‑day statutory minimum and that the agency is planning “the full 60” days to solicit feedback.

EEC staff said the change to 85% was part of the governor’s Gateway to Pre‑K agenda and is the federally allowable maximum. Stephanie Collimore, senior program staff, cautioned the board that implementing regulatory changes will also require IT updates, policy and procedure revisions and training for local administrators before eligibility changes take effect.

The board voted to authorize the commissioner to file the amended regulations with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication and public comment. The motion was moved from the dais and seconded; members voiced their assent with audible “ayes” and the chair declared the motion passed.

Votes at a glance - Draft amended childcare financial assistance regulations (606 CMR §10): Approved to file for public comment; outcome — approved; public comment period planned for up to 60 days. (See formal motion recorded at the meeting.) - Salary adjustment for Commissioner Kershaw consistent with Executive Branch manager increases (HR notice 07/25/2024): Approved; outcome — approved. - Minutes of the 01/15/2025 board meeting: Approved; outcome — approved.

What happens next EEC will post notice and the draft regulation text, accept public comment, review input and return revised final regulations to the board for a subsequent vote before promulgation. Agency staff said the regulatory change is only one step; the department will align policies, system workflows and staff training before any eligibility expansion becomes effective.